CENTRAL IOWA (8/21/02)--Horror is huge across the digital landscape, yet for
the average Horror writer, almost impossible to break into. Mid-list
publishing–where most best-selling names matured--has been moldering in its
grave since the late 80's, yet smaller independent publishers are making
opportunities happen.

Double Dragon Publishing is making things happen with one Horror writer.
Mark Sutton would like to take this time to trumpet the recent acquisition of
his extreme Horror novel Cat's-paw. A multi-character,
conceptually plotted tumble into Hell. Double Dragon eBooks, including
Cat's-paw by Mark Sutton, can also be found (soon) at
Fictionwise.com, and twenty-seven (27) other online outlets. A paperback version
of Cat's-paw is due out in October. Double Dragon Publishing.

From the Inside Flap:

Judas Iscariot; two-thousand-years-cursed to walk with man for his betrayal
of the Christ, is about to get a second chance, and receives for the second time
in his long lonely life, thirty silver coins. Thirty chances to save the living
universe itself. Judas must walk west, from New York to central Iowa, the small
town of Eisais, at each stop along his journey giving someone a coin. Thirty
conscripts in the war to come. Tomas Bryer; street slime with a budding heart.
Mandy Edgerton; Judas' lover and whore. Father Markel; evil's tool. Maria Diaz;
a maid who wants more from life. One coin chooses its possessor. Lovely
sixteen-year-old Tamera Ditters. Profoundly autistic Tamera with the living
universe in her head.

Reviewers interested in Cat's-paw by Mark Sutton may contact the
author or publisher.

Cat's-paw is full of good, believable and very likable characters. There are
no annoying ones that you want to smack after the first few chapters--you know
the ones where you pray the author has them eaten or sliced to bits by a
hatchet-wielding maniac. You instantly warm and relate to them.

The writing is skillful and descriptive. I could imagine what each person
looked like. I could see their surroundings and the nasty things that happen to
them. And the good things, if you know what I mean!

As you get further into the book you can't wait to read what happens next.
I'm usually a very slow reader, but I read Cat's-paw very quickly.

Several of the characters meet up towards the end of the book, and then the
fun really begins! The ending is violent, gruesome, sexy and complex. I enjoyed
this book--especially the ending.

From its first eye-opening supposition to its final climatic ending,
Cat's-paw takes you for a wild ride into the heart of the battle between good
and evil.

The author, Mark Sutton, pulls us into Judas' world with a
visceral tug that leaves our minds racing to keep up with our guts. His writing
is quick and clean, but with a harsh edge that lets the reader know that this
will not be a journey of pleasantries. After all, life on the street is often
not pretty, and Mark does not depart from this truism just to save our better
sensibilities.

Mark brings to life the thoughts and emotions of a man who
has been wandering the earth for centuries without the love or care of those
around him. He makes us feel the first faint stirring of hope as Judas realizes
he has before him a chance to redeem himself and regain his soul.

The
other characters that interact with Judas are equally well portrayed: Tamera, a
young child with autism who becomes a prophet for the side of good; Father
Markel, the wolf in sheep's clothing; Mandy, the whore who loves Judas; Galatea,
the demon who serves The Machine. We are made to see through their eyes and, for
the most part, understand their motivations. When they descend into the final,
climatic confrontation, we, as the reader, are concerned for their
welfare.

I feel justified in stating that Mark Sutton has created a work
worthy of the reader's time and energy. I look forward to the next release from
this new talent.

Bio:

Mark Sutton has been writing professionally for several years. His work has
appeared in numerous print and online publications. He's the former Art Director
of Knight's Typography, former Marketing Coordinator, Media Associates. Married
seventeen years to his lovely wife Lisa, with children, and many cats, he's
still sane. Mark has no hobbies other than words, and lives with his family deep
in the sticks of Iowa.